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Canto 6 · Prescribed Duties for Mankind · 19 chapters

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How to study this verse, in six steps
  1. 1Chant the verse. Say the Sanskrit slowly and carefully.
  2. 2Read the word meanings. Go through each Sanskrit word and its meaning.
  3. 3Find the meaning yourself. Before the translation, piece the meaning together from the words.
  4. 4Read the translation. Ask: what is the Lord teaching here, and how does it apply to my life?
  5. 5Read the purport slowly. Read it two or three times. Don't rush.
  6. 6Write down what touched you. Note the main points in your own notebook.
Read the full guide: how to hear the Bhāgavatam ›

Śrīmad-Bhāgavatam · Text 6.9.8

Who is speaking and story frame

तुर्यं छेदविरोहेण वरेण जगृहुर्द्रुमा: ।

तेषां निर्यासरूपेण ब्रह्महत्या प्रद‍ृश्यते ॥ ८ ॥

turyaṁ cheda-viroheṇa

vareṇa jagṛhur drumāḥ

teṣāṁ niryāsa-rūpeṇa

brahma-hatyā pradṛśyate

Translation

In return for Indra’s benediction that their branches and twigs would grow back when trimmed, the trees accepted one fourth of the reactions for killing a brāhmaṇa. These reactions are visible in the flowing of sap from trees. [Therefore one is forbidden to drink this sap.]

Read this verse on Vedabase.io

This verse has no purport; its meaning is explained by the verses around it.

1

Understand it

Three study points drawn from the translation and purport.

Trees Receive Regrowth and Accept Reactions

  1. 1

    Indra granted trees the benediction that their branches and twigs would grow back after being trimmed.

  2. 2

    In return, trees accepted one fourth of the reactions for killing a brāhmaṇa.

  3. 3

    The translation identifies flowing sap as the visible form of these reactions and states that drinking this sap is forbidden.

How it feels

Offense and dread → Moral reckoning. Heroic power does not guarantee inner freedom.

Chapters 7–10 of Canto 6: Indra, Bṛhaspati and the emergence of Vṛtrāsura. An editorial reading of the story's mood, not the text itself. See the emotional arc

Further reading

Chapter 9: Appearance of the Demon Vṛtrāsura

From the chapter summary, the lines nearest this verse:

Although competent to neutralize the sinful reactions for killing a brāhmaṇa, Indra did not do so. Instead he accepted the reactions.
Read the whole chapter summaryBack to this verse in chapter 6.9
2

Word for word

Learn the Sanskrit words of the verse.

  1. turyamone fourth
  2. chedaalthough being cut
  3. viroheṇaof growing again
  4. vareṇabecause of the benediction
  5. jagṛhuḥaccepted
  6. drumāḥthe trees
  7. teṣāmof them
  8. niryāsa-rūpeṇaby the liquid oozing from the trees
  9. brahma-hatyāthe reaction for killing a brāhmaṇa
  10. pradṛśyateis visible
3

Key ideas in this verse

The subject this verse serves and the themes it speaks of.

  • Ūti · The creative impetus

    Why do we act, and what keeps us bound? · Subject 5 of 10

Chapter themes come from the story phase this chapter belongs to.

4

Live it

Take one thing from this verse into your day.

Ask yourself

What benefit and restriction are connected in this account of the trees?

Practice

Note the translation’s instruction not to drink the sap described here.

5

The story around it

The story this chapter belongs to.

Live this todayTrees Receive Regrowth and Accept ReactionsThis verse's lesson: one practice and one question for today

Study points are short summaries, not the translation. Confirm them in the original text and purport on Vedabase.

Ask the BhāgavatamHave a question about SB 6.9.8? Get an answer from the verses themselves.